‘Sorry I’m Late’ is a sporadically scheduled column wherein staffers review media that was not covered by The Herald upon release, but better late than never, right?

Cameron Winter, best known as the front-man of the rock band Geese, released his debut solo album; “Heavy Metal” last December and I’m sorry I’m late. 

Geese is a classic rock band and Winter, up to the release of “Heavy Metal,” seemed to be a traditional rock front-man. 

“Heavy Metal” is anything but traditional, though. 

With as singular a sound as any project I have ever heard, Winter’s at times haunting vocals permeate 10 tracks of self-exploration. 

Winter’s fears, dreams and frustrations are channeled into source material that make for incredibly emotional and moving vocal performances. 

Every track on the 43 minute LP lacks any recognizable traditions of pop song-writing or production, with the only common thread being that every track accumulates over time, adding in new vocal layers and instruments that peak with a crescendo before fading out and into the next. 

The lyrics seem both improvisational and meticulously crafted in equal measure, leaving me unsure just how some of these songs were put together at all, in a good way. 

Recurring themes of identity, love, religion and the constant nature of life’s seasonal changes are to be found all throughout this record. 

In affect, “Heavy Metal” serves as a sort of ‘coming of age’ project for Winter, a clear sign of his transformation as both a person and an artist. 

Viscerally raw and deeply personal, this album is a 22-year old laying his soul bare for the world to hear. 

It is moving, it is enjoyable and it is without doubt one of the best albums of the decade thus far. 

Do yourself a favor and listen to “Heavy Metal” from beginning to end and see just how good modern music has the potential to be. 

Categories: Arts & Entertainment